State of Origin: We have learnt our lesson - Boyd Cordner's promise to heartbroken NSW fans

NSW captain Boyd Cordner believes there is a silver lining to
last year’s shattering series defeat as his side will use the game
two loss to better prepare themselves and reshape their strategies
in 2018.

Cordner’s men have one shot at redemption on Sunday evening to
close out the series in front of their home fans and avoid an
emotional farewell decider for Billy Slater at Suncorp Stadium.

Heading into a series-deciding half with a 16-6 lead last year,
the Blues went on the defensive and attempted to burn the clock
with no care for points, giving Queensland a breath of life that
they eventually took with both hands.

It handed the Maroons their 11th Origin shield in 12 years and
ended Cordner’s captaincy debut dream, a heartache he still holds
onto.

But he is adamant the fresh-faced Blues will be better for it
with an urge to put the game, and series, to bed this weekend.

‘’The biggest lesson to take out of last year was we went away
from what worked so well for us at the start of the series and that
was going after the game,’’ Cordner said.

‘’I thought that late in that second half we just turned and
tried to save the game instead of going after it.

‘’There is some lessons to be learnt and we know what challenges
are there in front of us.

‘’We know Queensland is going to be stronger and more hungrier
than ever so it’s definitely going to be a tougher task trying to
shut the series out here in Sydney.

‘’We’ll be preparing well and we’ll be up for it.’’

By stronger Cordner means through Billy Slater and Kalyn Ponga
who can both electrify the field and add another extremely
dangerous element to Queensland’s attack.

The Blues are on notice.

‘’Just Billy Slater alone, he brings so much experience to that
team and he’s been there and done it before,’’ Cordner said.

‘’Everyone knows the quality of player he is so we’ll be wary of
him and obviously with Kalyn Ponga being added to the squad – he’s
probably the most exciting young player coming through at the
moment.

‘’You see how damaging he is week in, week out for the Newcastle
Knights. He’s a confident kid so if he gets his shot he’ll be a
danger for them.’’

Asked if playing a series decider in Queensland was on their
mind, Blues back-rower Tyson Frizell admitted the side will do
everything in their power to avoid a frightful night up north.

‘’No, definitely not,’’ he responded.

‘’We want to go into every game wanting to win and we’re going
to be doing that.

‘’It is a difficult task in the past going up there and playing,
but we’ve done it before. For us, it’s focusing about this week and
getting everything right to win it this week.

‘’It is enjoyable as a player to be able to go up there and feel
that emotion and everything behind the game. The crowd’s very loud
and vocal and it’s probably one of the biggest games playing up
there.

‘’It is good for us to not have a game up there so early…it
doesn’t matter where we’re playing, we want to be playing to our
best to beat QLD.’’